Summary of pension rates, limits and allowances

Last updated:

You can find the current rates for pensions and allowances.

The rates on this page are effective from 1 January 2025.

You will find the current rates and limits for:

  • Service Pension
  • Social Security Age Pension
  • Veteran Payment
  • Income Support Supplement (ISS)
  • Disability Compensation Payment
  • War Widow(er)’s Pension
  • all associated allowances under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).

For information about payments under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), refer to Compensation Payment Rates.

The rates quoted are fortnightly amounts unless otherwise indicated. These rates are current from 1 January 2025 to 19 March 2025. Where relevant, the rates quoted include the energy supplement.

If your pension is still assessed under the pre-20 September 2009 rules, please refer to the rates labelled as “Transition” rates and limits.

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Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension

Current maximum rates

Single rateCurrent maximum rate
Pension$1,047.10
Pension Supplement$97.30
Total$1,144.40
Couples rateCurrent maximum rate
Pension (each)$789.30
Pension Supplement (each)$73.30
Total (each)$862.60

These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.

Transition maximum rates

Transition rateCurrent maximum rate
Singles rate$941.10
Couples rate (each)$759.30

These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement. For pensioners paid under pre-20 September 2009 rules, the Pension Supplement is included in the transition rate of Service Pension / Social Security Age Pension that you receive. As such, your DVA advice letters will not separately list a Pension Supplement amount.

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Veteran Payment

Current maximum rates

Single rateCurrent maximum rate
Basic Rate of Veteran Payment$1,159.00
Pension Supplement$83.20
Total$1,242.20
Couples rateCurrent maximum rate
Pension (each)$906.00
Pension Supplement (each)$62.70
Total (each)$968.70

Veteran Payment does not include Energy Supplement.

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Income Support Supplement

Income Support SupplementRate
Ceiling rate$346.20
Transition Ceiling rate$346.20
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Veterans Supplement

Veterans SupplementRate
Low Rate$7.00
High Rate$14.00
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Disability Compensation Payment rates

Payment typeRate
Special Rate (TPI, blinded or TTI)$1,805.30
Intermediate Rate$1,196.80
Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA)$974.20

These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.

General Rate

PercentageAmountPercentageAmount
100%$626.7050%$317.20
95%$595.7545%$286.25
90%$564.8040%$255.30
85%$533.8535%$224.35
80%$502.9030%$193.40
75%$471.9525%$162.45
70%$441.0020%$131.50
65%$410.0515%$100.55
60%$379.1010%$69.60
55%$348.15  

These rates include Energy Supplement.

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Additional Disability Compensation Payment for Specific Disabilities

ItemAmount
Items 1—6$837.80
Item 7$279.30
Item 8$188.80
Items 9 & 10$161.60
Item 11 & 13$80.90
Item 12 & 14$41.90
Item 15$62.50
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War Widow(er)’s Pension

Payment typeRate
Total War Widow(er)'s Pension$1,165.30

These rates include Energy Supplement.

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Orphan’s Pension

Payment typeRate
Single orphan$128.00
Double orphan$255.70
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Rent Assistance

Maximum amount payable

Payment typeMaximum amount payable
Singles rate, no children$211.20
Couples rate, no children (combined)$199.00

Rent thresholds

Payment typeRent threshold
Singles rate, no children$149.00
Couples rate, no children (combined)$241.40

For Veteran Payment, Service Pension and Social Security Age pensioners with dependent children, Rent Assistance is considered a child-related payment and is paid as part of Family Tax Benefit Part A through the Family Assistance Office.

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Remote Area Allowance

Payment typeRate
Singles rate$18.20
Couples rate (each)$15.60
Each child$7.30
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Family Tax Benefit

Family Tax Benefit may be paid to income support pensioners in respect of dependent children.

Veterans' Affairs income support pensioners receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A irrespective of their income. If income support is not received for a period of time, the normal income test for FTB A will apply during that period. This may result in less than the maximum rate of payment being received until the DVA benefit becomes payable again.

Application for and enquiries about payment of this benefit should be made to Services Australia.

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Recreation Transport Allowance

Recreation Transport AllowanceRate
High rate$111.90
Low rate$55.50
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Vehicle Assistance Scheme

Vehicle Assistance SchemeRate (per year)
Maintenance and running costs$2,909.40
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Attendant Allowance

Attendant AllowanceRate
High rate$418.60
Low rate$209.10
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Clothing Allowance

Clothing AllowanceRate
High rate$17.50
Mid rate$11.80
Low rate$8.00
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Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES)

Student typeRate (per year)
Primary students$338.80

Secondary and tertiary students (fortnightly rate)

AgeAt homeLiving away from homeHomeless
Under 16$70.00$579.50$670.30
16-17$414.20$670.30$670.30
18 & over$477.10$670.30$670.30

Secondary and tertiary double orphan (fortnightly rate)

AgeAmount
Under 16$418.90
16 - 20$670.30
21 & over$791.90

These rates include Energy Supplement.

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Decoration Allowance

Payment typeRate
Decoration Allowance$2.10
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Victoria Cross Allowance

Payment typeRate (per annum)
Victoria Cross Allowance$5,578.00

Victoria Cross Allowance is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration.

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Income limit before Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Current limits

Payment typeCurrent limit
Singles$212.00
Couples (combined)$372.00
Illness separated couples (combined)$372.00

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

Transition Limits

For each child limits increase by $24.60

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Work Bonus

Payment typeRate
Work Bonus Income Concession$300.00

 $11,800.00 is the maximum balance for the Work Bonus Bank.

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Assets limit before Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$314,000
Couples (combined)$470,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$470,000

Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$566,000
Couples (combined)$722,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$722,000
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Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit

Current limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$2,500.80
Couples (combined)$3,822.40
Illness separated couples (combined)$4,949.60

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

Transition Limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$2,564.75
Couples (combined)$4,168.50
Illness separated couples (combined)$5,077.50
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Service Pension & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit

Current Limits - Homeowner

Payment TypeLimit
Singles$695,500
Couples (combined)$1,045,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,233,000

Current Limits - Non-homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$947,500
Couples (combined)$1,297,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,485,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$627,750
Couples (combined)$976,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,097,500

Non-homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$879,750
Couples (combined)$1,228,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,349,500
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Income and assets cut-off limit for the Veteran Gold Card for Service pensioners

Income

Payment typeLimit
Singles$526.00 (per fortnight)
Couples (combined)$911.20 (per fortnight)

Assets - Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$366,500
Couples (combined)$560,000

Assets - Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$618,500
Couples (combined)$812,000

Transition Limits

Income

Payment typeLimit
Singles$604.50
Couples (combined)$1,046.00
For each child, increase by$24.60

Assets - Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$366,500
Couples (combined)$560,000

Assets - Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$618,500
Couples (combined)$812,000
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Income limit before ISS reduces

Current Limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$1,780.20
Couples (combined)$2,395.20
Illness separated couples (combined)$3,508.40

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

War Widow(er)’s Pension includes compensation for a member’s death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $346.20 per fortnight.

Transition Limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$1,664.00
Couples (combined)$2,384.50
Illness separated couples (combined)$3,276.00
For each child, increase by$24.60

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

War Widow(er)’s Pension includes compensation for a member’s death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $346.20 per fortnight.

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Assets limit before ISS reduces

Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$575,500
Couples (combined)$807,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$993,000

Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$827,500
Couples (combined)$1,059,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,245,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$507,750
Couples (combined)$738,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$857,500

Non-homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$759,750
Couples (combined)$990,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,109,500
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Income cut-off limit for ISS pensioners

Current Rates

Payment typeLimit
Singles$2,472.60
Couples (combined)$3,780.00
Illness separated couples (combined)$4,893.20

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $346.20 per fortnight.

Transition Rates

Payment typeLimit
Singles$2,529.50
Couples (combined)$4,115.50
Illness separated couples (combined)$5,007.00

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $346.20 per fortnight.

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Assets cut-off limit for ISS pensioners

Current Limits

Homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$691,000
Couples (combined)$1,038,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,224,000

Non-homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$943,000
Couples (combined)$1,290,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,476,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$623,000
Couples (combined)$969,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,088,000

Non-homeowner

Payment typeLimit
Singles$875,000
Couples (combined)$1,221,500
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,340,000
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Income limit before Veteran Payment reduces

Current limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$212.00
Couples (combined)$372.00
Illness separated couples (combined)$372.00
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Assets limit before Veteran Payment reduces

Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$314,000
Couples (combined)$470,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$470,000

Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$566,000
Couples (combined)$722,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$722,000
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Veteran Payment income cut-off limit

Current limits

Payment typeLimit
Singles$2,696.40
Couples (combined)$4,246.80
Illness separated couples (combined)$5,340.80
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Veteran Payment assets cut-off limit

Homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$728,250
Couples (combined)$1,116,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,298,500

Non-homeowners

Payment typeLimit
Singles$980,250
Couples (combined)$1,368,000
Illness separated couples (combined)$1,550,500
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Income limits for student children / earnings limits for employed children

CategoryLimit
Employed Child (under 16 years)$13,634.40 (per year)
Student Child (16-22 years)$14,370.55 (per year)
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Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit

Payment typeLimite
Singles$99,025 (per year)
Couples (combined)$158,440 (per year)
Illness separated couples (combined)$198,050 (per year)
Dependent child (each) increases limit$639.60
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Deeming

CategorySinglesCouples
Low0.25% interest up to the threshold of $62,6000.25% interest up to the threshold of $103,800
High2.25% interest for the remaining balance2.25% interest for the remaining balance
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Funeral benefits

Payment typeMaximum rate
Funeral benefits$2,000

Assistance is payable towards funeral expenses of certain veterans including TPI veterans, those whose death is accepted as being war or service caused, and those who died in needy circumstances.

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